In less than a week, President Donald Trump will address the nation, delivering his first State of the Union of his second term.
While Trump spoke to lawmakers early last year, the speech was technically called an “Address Before a Joint Session of Congress.” In line with tradition, presidents typically deliver a joint address in their first year, and then official State of the Unions follow in the subsequent years.
In early January, House Speaker Mike Johnson invited Trump to deliver the State of the Union on Feb. 24, touting the work of Trump and a Republican-led Congress in 2025 — and pointing to a year ahead.
The State of the Union is usually delivered toward the beginning of each session of Congress.
As the address approaches, here’s how to watch, history of the speech and what else you need to know.
What time is the State of the Union?
The State of the Union will begin at 8 p.m. CT, with coverage expected to last until 10 p.m.
Where can I watch it?
The address typically airs on all major television networks, and that will likely be the case once again.
What exactly is the State of the Union?
State of the Union addresses are mandated by Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution.
Required from “time to time,” the speeches have taken place regularly since 1790 – though there have been exceptions, according to the American Presidency Project at the University of California Santa Barbara.
While a spoken message in most recent decades, the State of the Union began as a written report that was submitted to Congress.
Boycott
At least a dozen Democratic members of Congress announced plans to boycott Trump’s State of the Union address and instead attend a rally on the National Mall, NBC News reported.
Among those participating is Rep. Delia Ramirez, of Illinois’ 3rd Congressional District.
“Since day one, the Trump Administration has been clear about their priorities and the pain they are willing to inflict on our communities to benefit their billionaire bosses. Donald Trump will use the State of the Union address as a platform to gaslight the American people and normalize and justify their terror, abuse, and violations of our rights. I refuse to legitimize it,” Ramirez said in a news release. ”The State of the Union is reflected in the people in the street fighting fascism and authoritarianism, protecting each other, and mourning those who we have lost to the violence of the administration. I will be standing at the People’s State of the Union, clear that the power of the people is stronger than the weapons they would yield against us.”
The progressive groups MoveOn and MeidasTouch will be hosting “People’s State of the Union” rally, which is touted as “counterprogramming” to “President Trump’s night full of lies and misplaced priorities for the American people.”
Who will give the opposing party’s address?
As has become a common practice since the 1960s, the opposing party will deliver a rebuttal to the State of the Union.
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, a rising star in the Democratic party, will give the rebuttal, while Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla, of California, will share the response in Spanish.
